Javier Bardem in talks for Frankenstein role in Universal's monster franchise

The Spanish actor is in talks for a Frankenstein-related role in Universal’s planned movie universe based on classic screen monsters, the Entertainment Weekly has confirmed.

Should the talks pan out, Bardem would join a star-studded franchise that also boasts Tom Cruise, who’s set to battle the title creature inThe Mummy; Russell Crowe, who will play a Dr. Jekyll-like character opposite Cruise; and Johnny Depp, who’s on board to star in anInvisible Man movie.

As with Crowe’s character, Bardem would be likely to make his debut as a supporting player rather than getting a standalone film right off the bat.